Petitioner Type: Company
Impact Date: 12/12/2002
Filed Date: 12/15/2003
Most Recent Update: 01/12/2004
Determination Date: 01/12/2004
Expiration Date: 01/12/2006
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-53,799
HOFFMAN CARBON, INC
A DIVISION OF SCHUNK GRAPHITE TECHNOLOGY
A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SCHUNK GROUP
BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a) (2) (A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 15, 2003 in response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of Hoffman Carbon, Inc., a Division of Schunk Graphite Technology, a subsidiary of The Schunk Group, Bradford, Pennsylvania. Workers at the subject facility produce carbon electrical conductors for the automotive industry.
The investigation revealed that sales and employment at the subject facility decreased during the period of January through November of 2003 when compared to the same period in 2002.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject facility’s major customer regarding its purchases of carbon electrical conductors in the 2001-2002 and January through November, 2002-2003 periods. The survey revealed increases in imports of carbon electrical conductors during the period under investigation.
In addition, In order for the Department to issue a certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles like or directly competitive with carbon electrical conductors produced at Hoffman Carbon, Inc., a Division of Schunk Graphite Technology, a subsidiary of The Schunk Group, Bradford, Pennsylvania contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Hoffman Carbon, Inc., a Division of Schunk Graphite Technology, a subsidiary of The Schunk Group, Bradford, Pennsylvania who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after December 12, 2002 through two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.”
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 12th day of January, 2004.
/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
Richard Church
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance